The gastro-adventures of a hungry cyclist and a former chef both with a love of food,
If it's in Nottingham, Mansfield, the East Midlands or further afield we've either tried it or are planning to and will review it!

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Sunday, 16 November 2014

The Best Cafe For Cyclists On Lanzarote

Finding The Best Cafe For Cyclists On Lanzarote

A coach recently asked triathlon's famous Brownlee brothers about how they selected the routes of their long training rides and the response was that they configured them related to which particular cafe they fancied going to. Such a free form approach from Olympic athletes seems somewhat refreshing in a world obsessed with mileages and power meters although the simple truth is that cyclists love cake. My recent Lanzarote training trip involved a bit of a tour of the cafes as a result.

As many cyclists and triathletes make their way to Lanzarote for a period of warm weather training or targeting the many events on the island there becomes a need for a good spot to stop off mid-ride (Whether on your own or with a like minded group) for the obligatory cafe stop.

Riding down from the Tabayesco climb through Los Valles and onto Teguise on the LZ 10 on my way back to Costa Teguise I saw the big Jonniebakes.com sign and was just ready for coffee and cake. Jonniebakes has to have arguably one of the best possible locations in terms of attracting cyclists as we head back to our resorts from some of the best cycling climbs on Lanzarote

Jonniebakes Artisan Bakery and Cafe in Teguise is a great stop off for cyclists

If you've spent your morning riding up Tabayesco and over to the Mirador Del Rio you'll have worked up an appetite. In reality many of us cyclists have an insanely sweet tooth yet make up for all those calories by cycling so the opportunity to grab a slice of cake or a nice pastry will never be turned down.

My first visit to Jonniebakes came at the end of a 3 hour long interval session. I'd done all the hard work for the day including interval training up many of the climbs in the North of the island so my body and mind were ready for a stop. At home I don't tend to stop during training rides but today was an exception to my usual rule.

Upon walking into the cafe and bakery there was a small display cabinet featuring a huge selection of cakes, pastries and pasties. From near perfectly shaped donuts to sausage rolls you can tell that the owners are Brits as it feels like a quaint slice of Blighty inside the clinical white of Lanzarote's buildings.

Menu's are showcased on large slate boards as you walk in so you're never going to miss what's on display.

A Cabinet Full Of Delights

Some amazing cakes and bakes at Jonniebakes, Teguise

On my first visit I plumped for an Almond and Marzipan Croissant which was absolutely delicious and a lovely black coffee which was served in one of those American soda glasses which seem so popular right now.

I loved the food and coffee so much I came back the following day and bought my other half with me. She came up to Teguise Market on the bus whilst I had a gentle roll up deliberately early to sit outside with a coffee and Pain Au Chocolat prior to a walk around the market and return for a slice of cake- You could say I'm hooked but I do love a good bakery or cafe and Jonniebakes has to be the best on Lanzarote.

Thanks Eric for stopping by. I didn't notice any cycling themed cafe's in all honesty though every one that I went into was happy for me to spend my euros. Jonnie Bakes was just good for where it was situated on the way out of the mountains to the North and I'd happily go back. I'm more interested in good coffee and cake than something targeted at cyclists personally as I've seen plenty of cycling specific cafes cease to be over the years.